Lanka always ready to help Russia - PM:

Russia requests SL’s vote to win EXPO 2020 bid

The Russian Federation requested Sri Lanka's support to win the bid to host EXPO 2020. The Head of the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independence States-Russia, Konstantin Kosachev who met Prime Minister D M Jayaratne emphasised the importance of Sri Lanka's vote for Russia to host EXPO 2020.

Russia is competing for the votes of 162 countries along with Thailand, Turkey, Brazil and UAE.

Kosachev told the Prime Minister that Russia expects to conduct this exhibition in Yekatennburg which links Asian and European countries and around 20,000 million people from foreign countries are expected to attend this exhibition.

Kosachev said it would help Sri Lanka to meet its goal of attracting 2.5 million tourists.

The Head of the Federal Agency noted the close friendship between the Presidents of Russia and Sri Lanka and the investments by Russians in large scale projects in Sri Lanka.

He also promised to look into the possibility of developing the economy of Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Jayaratne appreciating Russia's assistance financially and institutionally to uplift the economic and political stability in the country assured Sri Lanka’s support to the visiting Head of the Federal Agency.

He also recalled Russia's dedicated support to Sri Lanka at difficult stages in defeating the 30 year war and how Russia and China came forward to mitigate false allegations against Sri Lanka on Human Rights violations. Sri Lanka is ready to help Russia if it requests for help. The Russian Federation is a good friend of Sri Lanka, Prime Minister D M Jayaratne said.

He said the United Soviet Socialist Republic and the Russian Federation assisted Sri Lanka in various ways.

The Prime Minister said Russian support is also visible at international level.

Kosachev is considered the third executive officer of the political authority of the Russian Federation.

The Prime Minister said it is the sole responsibility of Sri Lanka to help Russia.

“When certain sections of students and expert groups were against private universities, the President and the government gave priority to establish a medical college with the support of the Russian Federation.

“It is a timely need and an opportunity to increase the number of doctors the country requires,” he said.

Prime Minister Jayaratne said Russia is one of the main tea buyers from Sri Lanka.

He requested the Russian representative to explore the possibility of expanding market opportunities in their country.

Arrangements are being made to invite Sri Lankan cultural teams to Russia.

Kosachev said he wishes to invite the Prime Minister to participate at this exhibition as the second leader of the political hierarchy in Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister’s Private Secretary Anuradha Jayaratne, Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka Alexander Karchava and CEO for International Relations for the Commonwealth of Independence States Andrey Nevsky also participated in the discussion.